Centrifugal extractor control



Sept 1970 T. B. ANTHONY 3,526,105

CENTRIFUGAL XTRACTOR CONTROL Filed Sept. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l (vgl INVENTOR. 72D 5. ,QA/rf/O/V/ Sept 1, 1970 T. B. ANTHQNY 3,526,105

CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR CONTROL Filed Sept. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SEOUENTIALLY OPERATED SWITCHES CAM INCREMENTS CONTACTS CLOSED) CONTACTS 5 lO Y l5 2O 25 waz INVENTOR. 7220 5. MVN/avv United States Patent Oce 3,526,105 Patented Sept. 1, 1970 3,526,105 CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR CONTROL Tad B. Anthony, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 762,793 Int. Cl. D061? 23/04, 39/08 U.S. Cl. 68-12 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND F THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to automatic fabric washing machines and more particularly to a machine operable through a speed-controlled centrifugal extraction operation for achieving an improved sequence of operations for washing permanent press or wash and wear articles.

Description of the prior art It is common in the operation of automatic fabric Washing machines to provide for a washing operation using warm or hot liquids to effect the cleansing of the fabrics. This high temperature wash operation is followed by a centrifugal liquid extraction operation and then by a rinse operation to remove the washing liquid from the fabrics and then in turn followed by a iinal liquid extraction operation. lt has been found that the high tempera ture washing operation is most effective in achieving optimum cleansing of the fabrics and that the high temperature is effective for releasing wrinkles that have formed during prior wearing of the newer synthetic fabrics commonly called permanent press or wash and wear.

If, however, the synthetic fabrics are subjected to a high speed liquid extraction operation following the high temperature washing operation, the compacting of the fabrics against the inner periphery of the rotating fabric basket causes wrinkling of the synthetic fabrics that become relatively fixed and difficult to remove. Previous work in the washing of synthetic fabrics has shown that it is desirable to either reduce the temperature of the fabrics being washed prior to a high speed extraction or to limit the speed of extraction. It is common in centrifugal extractors such as fabric washing machines to drive the centrifuging basket and the pump at the same time and with the same drive belt, for example. Operation of such an arrangement at slow speed for a permanent press cycle, however, would require an unusually long period of time because of the slow pump-out rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to provide a fabric washing apparatus operable through an improved centrifugal extraction operation including fast pump-out and slow speed extraction for permanent press fabrics.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a fabric washing apparatus having an improved centrifugal extraction operation including drive means for commonly operated centrifugal extractor and pumping means and operable for effecting a fast pump-out and a slow speed extraction.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide a fabric washing machine having an improved centrifugal extraction operation including operation of the drive means for a fast pump-out and a slow speed extraction initiated by liquid level sensing means at a lower liquid level and wherein sequential programming means are maintained de-energized during the pump-out portion.

The instant invention achieves these objects in a fabric washing machine having a control system including a two-speed drive means, selectively energizable programming means, and liquid level sensing means. These elements arel cooperable in a control circuit and upon initiation by the programming means the dnve means is energized for the higher of its two speeds and the pumping means is operated to effect a high rate of pumping. The centrifuging basket, however, is retarded in speed because of the drag of the liquid remaining in the tub. At a predetermined lower liquid level, the level sensing means is operable for effecting a change in the speed of said drive means to a lower speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a side elevational view of a fabric Washing machine with portions broken away and partially sectioned to illustrate elements of the washing machine and the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electric control circuit incorporating the instant invention and useful with the washing machine shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the sequential switching of the programming means shown schematically in FIG. 2 and operable in providing the improved sequence of operations of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FG. 1, there is shown an automatic washing machine 10 including a base frame 11 supported on a plurality of adjustable leg members 14 and mounting a cabinet enclosure 15 comprising sidewall portions 16 and a top cover portion 18. The top cover portion 18 includes a hinged door panel 19 normally covering a recessed loading opening 20 and further includes an upwardly extending housing 21 for accommodating various control members, such as programming means 24.

Mounted within the cabinet 15 is a tub assembly 25 nutationally supported on the base frame 11 by a tripod arrangement including tub braces 26 which are connected to a generally imperforate outer liquid container or tub 28 at their upper ends. Revolubly mounted within the imperforate outer tub 28 is a perforate clothes basket 29 in which is positioned an oscillatable agitator 30 for electing movement of fabrics and water within the tub assembly 25. The outer imperforate tub 28 and the perforate clothes -basket 29 are substantially aligned with the loading opening 20 in the top cover 18 for permitting the operator to place fabrics within the basket 29 and to remove them upon completion of the cycle.

The 1base frame 11 also supports a reversible two-speed drive motor 31 operable for selectively effecting oscillation of the agitator 30 or centrifugal rotation of the inner basket 29 through the transmission assembly 34. The motor 31 is operable through a -belt drive arrangement (not shown) and through the transmission 34 to effect in one direction of operation the oscillation of the agitator 30 and operable in the other direction to effect centrifugal rotation of the fabric basket 29. The transmission 34 and the belt drive arrangement effectively provide a slipping clutch or torque limiting means between the motor and the rotatable basket 29.

The construction and mounting of the tub assembly 25 and the operation of the inner basket 29 and agitator 30 are more clearly and specifically shown in the following patents, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the instant invention: Scott et al., U.S. 2,854,297; Smith et al., U.S. 2,926,136; Burklandk'Z U.S. Re. 25,157; and Goodlaxson, U.S. 3,013,645.

The base frame 11 also supports a pumping means 35 that is driven by the motor 31 and which communicates through a flexible conduit 36 with the outer tub 28. This pump 35 is operable for carrying uids from the outer tub 28 and pumping them toward an external drain through a drain hose 38 when the motor 31 is operated in the direction for effecting centrifugal rotation of the basket 29. More detailed description of the operation of the uid pumping system is shown in Smith, U.S. Re. 25,125, also assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

Various liquid control elements are provided on the tub assembly 25 and include a water inlet conduit 39 through which water may be selectively introduced into the washing basket 29 and outer tub 28. Water level sensing means is provided and includes a tube 40 in connection with the outer tub 28 at the sidewall toward the lower portion of the tub as in FIG. 1. The normal full liquid level is shown by broken line 42 in FIG. 1.

Referring to the schematic electric circuit of FIG. 2, the motor 31 corresponds to the portion of the circuit enclosed within the broken line and includes a low speed winding 50, a high speed winding 51, a start winding 54, and a-pair of centrifugally operable switches 55 and 56. At a predetermined speed switch 55 opens to remove start winding 54 from the circuit and switch 56 operates between high speed winding 51 and low speed winding 50. The programming means of mechanism 24 is shown schematically in FIG. 2 as a plurality of contacts 60 through 77 operable in pairs under control of cam means (not shown). Each cooperating pair of contacts function as a sequentially operable switch. The switch 79 is connected to the power line 80 and serves as a line switch or an on-off switch. The liquid level sensing means is in the form of a pressure responsive switch 81 communicating with the tube `40 in FIG. 1 and operable between a rst Contact 84 with a predetermined high liquid level corresponding to a normal full tub of liquid indicated by line 42, and a second contact 85 corresponding to a predetermined low liquid level representing a switch reset position and generally indicated at a static condition by broken line 44 in FIG. 1.

The circuit further includes valve means 87 for controlling the incoming water and includes a pair of coils 88 and 89 selectively energizable to provide either cold or hot water to the uid inlet conduit shown in FIG. 1. In addition, to being sequentially controlled by the contact pairs 73-74, 75-76, and 76-77, the water valve solenoids 88 and 89 are controlled by a pair of manually operable switches 90 and 91 to selectively provide various combinations of wash and rinse temperatures.

Also included in FIG. 2 is a motor speed control switch 94 operable between a first contact 95 for effecting slow speed operation of the motor and a second contact 96 operable for effecting high speed rotation of the motor 31.

Direction of motor rotation is controlled by contact pairs 63-64, -64-65, 66-67, and 67-68. When contact pairs 63-64 and 66-67 are closed the start winding 54 is so energized as to effect operation of the motor 31 in a direction for rotating basket 29 and operating the pump 35 for draining liquid from tub 28. When contact pairs 64-65 and 67-68 are closed the motor is energized for effecting rotation of the motor in a direction for operating the agitator 30.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the sequencing control of the program- 4 ming means. A detailed analysis of FIG. 3 taken with the circuit of FIG. 2 will show a person skilled in the art that the washing apparatus of FIG. l will be operable through a sequence of operations comprising the following:

18-20 Extraction of wash liquid (fast pump-out and slow speed extraction).

21 Fill and pause for reversing direction of motor rotation.

22-25 Deep rinse with motor operating to oscillate the agitator.

26 Pause for reversing direction of motor rotation.

27" Final centrifugal extraction (fast pumpout and slow speed extraction).

The instant invention is directed to the speed control of the drive means provided in increments 18-20, for example, and further to the speed control in combination with the cool-down operation of increments 13-16. Upon advancement of the programming means 24 by a timing motor 100, for example, into increment 18, the position of the cam-operated programming switches of FIG. 2 will be as follows:

Contact pairs 60-61, 64465, 67-68, 70-71, 73-74, 75- 76, and 76-77 will -be open whereas contact pairs 61-62, 63-64, 66-67, 69-70, and 72-73 will be closed. Since the cool-down agitation operation has just been completed in a substantially full tub of liquid, the water level switch 81 will be operated to the contact 84 indicating a full condition. It is therefore possible to determine that the ywater valve 87 is de-energized, the timer motor 100 is deenergized, and the main drive motor 31 is energized.

The drive motor 31 is energized by a circuit which extends from power line through switch 79, conductor 101, switch 81 made to contact 84, contact pair 69-70, and a conductor 104 to the junction point 105. From the junction point 105, the circuit continues through a conductor 106, contact pair 66-67, and through start winding 54, switch 55, contact pair 64-65, and conductor 107 to conductor 109. Conductor 109 is connected to neutral line 110 through the thermoprotector 111. At the same, a circuit is made from the junction point 105 through the high speed run winding 51 whichis in turn connected through the thermoprotector 111 to the neutral line 110. Upon reaching a predetermined switching speed, switch 55 opens to remove the start winding 54 from the circuit. Operation of switch 56 with switch 55 places the switch 56 in connection with the low speed winding 50.

Energization of drive motor 31 effects rotation of the fabric basket 29 and operation of the pump 35 to remove liquid from the outer tub 28. Operation of the motor 31 at its high speed effects operation of the pump 35 at a relatively high rate of pumping. Because of the full tub of water, however, rotation of the inner basket 29 will be limited to a relatively slow speed until a large majority of the liquid is removed. Upon the emptying of a portion of the liquid, the level sensing switch 81 will operate from the full contact 84 to the reset or low level Contact 85. This operation of the level sensing switch 81 at the reduced liquid level will operate to maintain the motor 31 energized, but at a slower speed, as will be shown hereinafter. The timer motor will also be energized at this time.

The motor 31 will be energized for low speed operation by the following circuit: power line 80, switch 79, conductor 101, switch 81 made to contact 85, conductor 114, timer contact pair 72-73, and a conductor 115 to a junction 116. The circuit to the motor 31 continues from the junction 116 through a conductor 117, contact pair 60-61, switch 94 made to contact 95, a conductor 119, and switch 56 to low speed winding 50. The other side of low speed winding 50 is connected through the conductor 109 and the thermoprotector 111 to the neutral line 110. At the same time, the timing motor 100 is energized between the junction 116 and the neutral line 110. It is thus seen that the extraction operation continues under control of the programming means 24 but at the slower operating fspeed of the motor 31. The pump 35 will continue to operate and upon removal of the water, the basket 29 will accelerate to a relatively low extraction speed. The extraction speed is maintained below the level critical to the creation of creases upon extraction of fluid from permanent press articles. This speed-controlled centrifugal extraction operation may be repeated in increments 27-30 for effecting a final centrifugal extraction operation.

It has been indicated that the programming means are maintained inoperable for advancement by de-energizing the timer motor 100 during high speed operation of the motor 31 and pump-out of liquid from the outer tub 28. By this feature, it is possible to condense the extraction operation into a smaller segment of the cycle program. More specifically, it is possible to reduce the time on a control cam stack, for example, that is allotted to the extraction operation.

In addition to being useful by itself to provide a permanent press cycle of operation, this fast pump-out and slow extraction operation may be combined with a cooldown sequence to provide a still further improved cycle of operations for permanent press fabrics. A preferred cool-down sequence is shown in increments 13-15. The circuit operation for the cool-down sequence is as follows: At the beginning of the 13th increment, a circuit is cornpleted for energizing the motor 31 from the power line 80 through the switch 79 and conductor 101 to the liquid level sensing switch `81 and then through the full contact 84, timer contact pair 69-70, and a conductor 104, to the junction 105. From the junction 105, the start winding 54 and the high speed winding 51 are energized to effect rotation of the basket 29 and operation of the pump 35 as described in the circuitry above. Upon the emptying of a portion of the liquid, the level sensing switch 81 will operate to the low level contact 85 for energizing the water valve 87. Since the timer contact pair 76-77 is made in the 13th increment, the cold water solenoid 88 is energized for effecting a refilling of the liquid container 28 with cold water. This cold water will reduce the temperature of the liquid within the outer tub 28. When the liquid within the tub 28 reaches a predetermined full level, the level sensing switch 81 will operate from the loW level contact 85 to the full contact 84 to again re-energize the motor for effecting a spin operation of the fabric basket 29. An alternating liquid pump-out and refill will continue during the 13th and 14th increments. During the 15th increment, the timer contact pairs 63-64 and 66-67 will be operated to condition the motor 31 for energization in the direction for effecting agitation of the agitator 30 Within the fabric basket 29. In the 16th increment, with the level sensing switch 81 made to contact 84 and timer contact pair 70-71 closed, the drive motor 31 will be energized for operation of the agitator 30 and the timer motor 100 will be energized for advancing the programming means 24 upon completion of the increment. Agitation of the fabrics within the cooled down liquid during the 16th increment will insure cool-down of the fabrics prior to centrifugal extraction of fluid therefrom. A centrifugal extraction operation, including a rapid pump-out and a slow speed extraction, may then follow this cool-down sequence to effect the further improved cycle of operations for permanent press fabrics.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A washing apparatus comprising: liquid container means for receiving washing liquid; rotatable fabric basket means within said liquid container means for receiving fabrics to be washed in said washing liquid; means for agitating fabrics in said fabric basket means to effect the washing of said fabrics; pumping means for removing liquid from said container means; drive means operable in a first condition for driving said washing means and in a second condition for operating said pumping means and through torque limiting means for rotating said basket means, said drive means being further operable in said second condition at a first higher speed and a second lower speed; programming -means operable for controlling said washing apparatus through a sequence of operations, said programming means being operable at a predetermined position in said sequence of operations for energizing said drive means at said first higher speed to effect rotation of said basket means and operation of said pumping means, said pumping means being operable at said first higher speed to effect relatively rapid removal of a portion of the liquid from said liquid container means, the speed of said basket means being retarded through operation of the torque limiting .means and the drag of the liquid remaining in said container means; and means operable after a portion of said liquid has been removed for effecting a changerin the energization of said drive means from said higher speed to said lower speed to effect continued operation of said pumping means at a reduced speed and to rotate said basket means at a speed to effect a gentle extraction of liquid from fabrics contained in said fabric basket means.

2. A washing apparatus comprising: liquid container means for receiving washing liquid; fabric basket means within said liquid container means for receiving fabrics to be washed in said Washing liquid and centrifugally rotatable to remove liquids from fabrics contained therein; pumping means for removing liquid from said container means; drive means operable for simultaneously operating said pumping means and through torque limiting means for rotating said basket means, said drive means being further operable at a first higher speed and a second lower speed; programming means operable for controlling said washing apparatus through a sequence of operations, said programming means being operable at a predetermined position in said sequence of operations for energizing said drive means at said rst higher speed to effect rotation of said basket means and operation of said pumping means, said dumping means being operable at said first higher speed to effect relatively rapid removal of a portion of the liquid from said liquid container means, the speed of said basket means being retarded through operation of the torque limiting means and the drag of the liquid remaining in said container means; and means operable after a portion of said liquid has been removed for effecting a change in the energization of said drive means from said higher speed to said lower speed to effect continued operation of said pumping means at a slower speed and to rotate said basket means at a speed to effect a gentle extraction of liquid from fabrics contained in said fabric basket means.

3. A washing apparatus comprising: liquid container means for receiving washing liquid, rotatable fabric basket means within said liquid container means for receiving fabrics to be washed in said washing liquid; means for moving fabrics about in said fabric basket to effect the washing of said fabrics; pumping means for removing liquid from said container means; drive means operable in a first direction for driving said washing means and in a second direction for operating said pumping means and through torque limiting means for rotating said basket means, said drive means being further operable in said second direction at a first higher speed and a second lower speed; control circuit means including programming means operable for controlling said Washing apparatus through a sequence of operations, said control circuit means further including means for sensing a first level of liquid and a second lower level of liquid in said container means, said programming means being operable at a predetermined position in said sequence of operations for energizing said drive means at said first higher speed to effect rotation of said basket means and operation of said pumping means, said pumping means being operable at said first higher speed to effect relatively rapid removal of a portion of the liquid from said liquid container means, the speed of said basket means being retarded through operation of the torque limiting means and the drag of the liquid remaining in said container means, said liquid level sensing means being operable at a second lower liquid level for effecting a change in the energization of said drive means from said higher speed to said lower speed to effect continued operation of said pumping means at a reduced speed and to effect rotation of said basket means at a speed to effect a gentle extraction of fluid from fabrics contained in said fabric basket means.

4. A washing apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said programming means is inoperable for advancing during said high speed operation of said drive means and is energized for normal operation upon sensing by said liquid level sensing means of said second lower liquid level.

5. A washing apparatus comprising: liquid container means for receiving washing liquid; rotatable fabric basket means within said liquid container means for receiving fabrics to be washed in said washing liquid; agitator means in said fabric basket means to effect the washing of said fabrics; pumping means for removing liquid from said container means; drive means operable in a first condition for driving said agitator means and in a second condition for operating said pumping means and through torque limiting means for rotating said basket means, said drive means being further operable in said second condition at a first higher speed and a second lower speed; liquid supply means energizable to selectively introduce hot and cold liquid into said container means; programming means operable for controlling said washing apparatus through a sequence of operations, said programming means being operable at a first predetermined position in said sequence of operations with liquid in said container for energizing said drive means to effect rotation of said basket means and operation of said pumping means to effect a first partial emptying of the liquid from said container means; liquid level sensing means responsive to said first partial emptying of liquid for energizing said liquid supply means to introduce cold water into said container means whereby the temperature of the washing liquid is reduced, said programming means being operable at a second predetermined position in said sequence of operations subsequent to said first predetermined position and beginning with a predetermined liquid level in said container for energizing said drive means at said first higher speed to effect rotation of said basket means and operation of said pumping means, said pumping means being operable at said first higher speed to effect relatively rapidly a second partial emptying of the liquid from said liquid container means while speed of said basket means is retarded by operation of said torque limiting means and the drag of the liquid remaining in said container means, said liquid level sensing means responsive to said second partial emptying of liquid for effecting a change in the energization of said drive means from said higher speed to said lower speed to effect continued opera-tion of said pumping means at a reduced speed and to effect rotation of said basket means at a speed to effect a gentle extraction of fiuid from fabric contained in said fabric basket means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,055,202 9/1962 Hughes 68-207 X 3,078,700 2/1963 Billings et al 68--12 3,301,023 1/1967 Painter 68-12 3,312,087 4/1967 Toma 68-12 3,353,377 ll/1967 WOrSt 68-12 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 68-23.4, 23.5 

